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Professional poker player Nancy Todd has lost her fight to gain exclusive operating rights to Arkansas casinos on Monday.
Ms. Todd was looking to control casinos in four Arkansas counties via a ballot proposal but Secretary of State Mark Martin’s office rejected revised language for the proposed amendment to the state constitution. Todd had submitted additional signatures from voters that were required to qualify for the ballot proposal.
It’s not over yet, however, as Todd plans to file a lawsuit before the state Supreme Court challenging the decision.
“We knew in January it was going to come down to the Supreme Court, so that’s where we’ll head,” Todd said.
If Todd files the lawsuit by Thursday, election officials are required by law to certify the amendment and keep it on the ballot while the case is being considered.
“The people should be deciding this issue,” Todd said. “It shouldn’t be tied up in any kind of political quagmire. The people should have a right to vote on this issue.”
Alex Reed, a spokesman for Martin’s office, said it is still possible for the state to remove the measures from the ballot, depending on how quickly the courts rule.
- Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com
